Aquino-slaying Verdicts Ready For 26

MANILA — Armed forces chief Gen. Fabian Ver and 25 others charged in the slaying of opposition leader Benigno Aquino will appear in court Monday to hear the verdicts in the case.

Justice Manuel Pamaran's order came a day after the Supreme Court dismissed a petition asking it to declare the lower court's proceedings a mistrial. The petitioners claimed the lower court was biased and state prosecutors had arbitrarily ignored evidence.

Aquino was shot and killed Aug. 21, 1983, after returning from three years of self-imposed exile in the United States.

The military claimed he was killed by a communist hit man, Rolando Galman, who was shot to death by soldiers just after Aquino was slain. Prosecutors said the military was responsible for Aquino's death.